7 Solid Reasons to Ask Santa for Chickens

Perhaps I'm a bit biased on my opinion, but I think everyone should raise chickens - at least once, even if it's just a few hens.  I personally shan't live without chickens again.  Even though right now I'm not too thrilled about going out on these cold mornings and dealing with frozen poo and water, I just can't imagine not having them.   

 These are my personal reasons for loving chickens.

If you've been extra good this year, and need help penning your letter to Santa, 

please feel free to use these reasons!

 Yard Ornamentation 

There is nothing more bucolic than a handful of hens and a proud rooster strutting about your property.  You'll pause as you're doing the dishes and look out the window - and consider yourself  the luckiest gal alive to have such a sight in your yard.  With a touch of OCD working in your favor - you can select breeds that complement the colors of your home and flowers.  Not that I'd know a thing about that.

They Make Breakfast For You 

Ok, this might be pushing it a bit - they don't actually scramble the eggs, but they do lay them.  Again, you will feel like the richest, luckiest gal around as you meander out to the chicken coop, basket in hand (or in my case a pocket - a bra works in a pinch) to collect the days eggs.  Each one such a treasure.  Lovely in color, still warm at times, fresher than fresh.  It don't get no better.  If you do collect eggs in your pockets or bra - a word of caution here - don't get distracted on the way back to the house and forget they are there.  Again - I don't speak from experience here : -).

Poo - And Lots of It

 Gardener's gold - chicken poo.  High in nitrogen - perfect for growing your greens, which in turn you give to the chickens.  In your moments of deep introspection you realize what a perfect circle life is and you are thrilled to be a part of it - witnessing it all in such a tangible way.  Frozen poo is not fun - but hey - it's the yin to the yang of chicken keeping.  Get over it.

 Recycling 

 Say goodbye to your compost pile, or piles of peels sullying up your kitchen trash.  Chickens are recycling machines.  Your trash is truly their treasure.

Entertainment 

Chickens are hilarious.  It's something that you wouldn't imagine until you keep them for a bit.  Each chicken truly has it's own personality.  Some you'll adore, others you'll flat out not like.  There's always yard drama.  You'll laugh, you'll cry.  You'll get mad and run after them with flailing dishtowel in hand - or so I've heard.

Mental Health

Time spent with chickens is never wasted.  Feeling anxious?  Go out to the hen yard with a handful of treats.  You'll feel better toot sweet.  Having troubles?  Spill your guts to the chickens.  They'll look at you and seem to understand.  Feeling depressed?  Chickens don't feed and water themselves.  You've got to get up and tend them.  

They Open Doors

You never know what can happen when you get chickens.  Next thing you know - you are getting fabulous ducks, and even consider - wait for it - a goat.  A pig.  A milk cow. Anything is possible!

 Truly, chickens are the gateway livestock that open the doors for others.  You might even start blogging about your chickens and meet terrific people from all over the world - or become obsessed with chickens and buy purses in their likeness, you'll learn so much too - like how to doctor up a pasty butt, how to set traps, or even how to shoot a gun.

I ask you - isn't it high time you got yourself a flock?

I think so too.